Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal offspring. But Jehosheba, daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash, son of Ahaziah, from among the king's sons who were slain, along with his nurse, and hid them in the LORD's house to protect him from Athaliah.

He was with her hidden in the LORD's house for six years while Athaliah reigned over the land. In the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the leaders of hundreds, their captains, and guards to come to the house of the Lord. He made a covenant with them there and took an oath before the king's son.

Jehoiada instructed them, saying, "A third of you who come in on the Sabbath shall be keepers of the watch at the king's house; another third at the gate Sur; and another third at the gate behind the guard." A third part should be at the gate of Sur, and a third part at the gate behind the guard, to keep watch over the house.

They were to surround the LORD's house and protect the king as he came and went. Anyone who entered the ranks was to be slain, and they were to accompany the king with every man armed. The captains over hundreds carried out Jehoiada's instructions, gathering their men who were to enter on the Sabbath and those who were to leave.

The priest gave them spears and shields that had been King David's, which were in the temple of the Lord. The guard stood ready, encircling the king from the right side of the temple to the left along by the altar and the temple. They brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant; they made him king, anointed him, clapped their hands, and said, "God save the king!"

When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and the people, she came to the temple of the Lord. She saw the king standing by a pillar, surrounded by princes and trumpeters, while all the people of the land rejoiced with trumpet blasts. Meanwhile, Athaliah tore her clothes and cried out, "Treason! Treason!"

Jehoiada commanded the captains of hundreds and officers of the host to bring her out between the ranks and kill anyone who followed her. He had said, "Let her not be slain in the house of the Lord." They laid hands on her, and she was led away by the way of the horses' entry to the king's house, where she was slain.

Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people, that they should be the Lord's people. He also established a covenant between the king and the people. All the people of the land went to the house of Baal, broke it down, thoroughly destroying its altars and images. They killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

The priest then appointed officers over the LORD's house. With all the leaders over hundreds, captains, guards, and people of the land, they brought the king from the house of the Lord to the king's house by the way of the gate of the guard. He sat on the throne of the kings, and all the people rejoiced.

The city was at peace, but Athaliah was slain by the sword beside the king's house. Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign.